I object to the revised implementation, as it does not respect the needs of local residents.

I highly object to this modification and request further redesign for the car overpass, green link and transport links.

1. People orientated design should be the first principle - and consideration for safe pedestrian access should be the priority.

2. Reinstate the original Greenlink to allow safe, direct and continuous pedestrian and cyclist access.

3. Consideration and analysis of traffic implications from changed traffic conditions and flow on effects to surrounding areas.

4. Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs , location of the foreshore and it’s potential future development

5. Integrate connections to public transport options and future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf

Destruction of the foreshore!
It will be horrible for pedestrians.

This modification completely ignores the conditions of consent given for this project and threatens to impose unacceptable impacts on the landscape and liveability of our local area. No sensible rationale (speedier construction?) has been provided for the modification billed as an "improvement" in the official documents , which, if approved, is set to be the inner west's version of the Cahill Expressway, this time severing access to the waterfront for inner-west residents and imposing a monstrous elevated road that will forever divide the green spaces of Bicentennial Park and Rozelle Railyards. This will severely diminish their utility and hamper future access to parkland and the Glebe Foreshore (under the auspices of the City of Sydney), including the Fish Market Redevelopment (under the auspices of UrbanGrowth NSW). The Department has a wonderful opportunity to adopt a plan that is sympathetic to this part of Sydney, avoids more waterfront eyesores and encourages pedestrian and cycling links between the inner west and the city. It makes sense to improve access and connectivity across the broader footprint and collaborate with the other government entities to ensure that a superior design is adopted, even if it does cost more and take longer to complete. It's worth getting right.
The proposed overpass is totally out of step with local development in Annandale and undermines the community-endorsed enhancements that are taking shape a mere 200 metres away along the Crescent ( refer to : https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/vision/better-infrastructure/parks-and-playgrounds/current-works/improving-crescent-federal-park). Sufficient consideration hasn’t been given to obvious alternatives such as an underground tunnel running under Whites Creek. Cost savings and construction simplification should NOT trump long-term community amenity.
Pedestrian access to Bicentennial Park and Jubilee Park:
This modification prioritises the convenience of motorists and desire to reduce project costs, while trashing the experience of local pedestrian traffic and making it harder for residents, visitors and commuters to access the public waterfront. Pedestrians walking from the western side of Johnston Street will have to use an astonishing four (4) pedestrian crossings in order to reach Bicentennial Park. We would be so close and yet so far. This is seriously ill-considered and will ensure that only the intrepid or foolhardy attempt the feat. Those who value their safety and their sanity are likely to give the waterfront a wide berth. This pedestrian arrangement needs to be modified to allow pedestrians to cross direct from Johnston Street to the Park via The Crescent
Relocation of the green link:
This modification would abandon one of the centrepieces of the original design: a pedestrian and cycling green link to connect the Rozelle Goods Yard to Bicentennial Park.
Relocating that green link to the west of the intersection of The Crescent and City West Link ignores the original conditions of consent given for this project and puts the convenience of motorists ahead of pedestrians and cyclists. The proposed pedestrian bridge further north up the City West Link creates an unnecessarily
long walk for pedestrians and an unnecessarily high climb of 5+ metres.
RMS and the contractors should reconsider other design options to ensure a continuous green link from Rozelle Goods Yard, across the City West Link into Jubilee Park, including a link to Annandale and the Rozelle Bay light rail stop- surely the Minister for Public Spaces would endorse such a plan.
Increased local traffic in Annandale:
This modification would remove the option to turn right out of Johnston Street into The Crescent which will increase traffic and 'rat-runs' through local streets including Piper Street and Booth Street. Again, this proposed change seems to run counter to the City of Sydney's plan for the area, perversely making it harder for the wider community to easily access the soon to be built skate park, updated Glebe Foreshore and the Tramsheds.

Director, Transport Assessments Planning Services
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney, NSW 2001

Application: SSI 7485

Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,

I am a 20+ year resident of Annandale and am a frequent user of the foreshore parkland at the end of my street. I also commute to the city via the Anzac Bridge by bicycle. I have reviewed the proposed modification to the M4-M5 Link, Mod2 and strongly object to the proposed overpass for The Crescent and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.

The previously approved plan, for which there was a reasonable degree of community consultation, provided safe, direct access from the EIS GreenLink and allowed for a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. One of the apparent benefits presented to the local community was the green space that was to be created and easily accessible as a consequence of the works. The Mod2 proposal significantly compromises this, will create additional traffic (as noted in the proposal) and significantly impacts on the Annandale community. It is unacceptable and decreases the amenity of the suburb.

My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
• The overwhelming scale of an overpass in our suburb. It will dominate the landscape and forever compromise access to the foreshore.
• The Crescent will become a major thoroughfare, instead of a route predominantly for local residents of Annandale and Glebe.
• There will be increased traffic fed north on to Johnston St, as stated in the proposal. Given the massive cost of the WestConnex and its stated aim of removing traffic from residential streets, this is an unacceptable outcome.
• The additional traffic on Johnston St will be a major issue as at peak times there is already considerable congestion at the intersection of Johnston St and Parramatta Rd. There is nowhere for the traffic to go as all other roads in Annandale are residential and narrow.
• There is a total lack of planning for additional traffic that will be created in to the suburb.
• It is unacceptable that residents will be required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle Bay light rail stop. For families with young children, a large number who currently walk and ride to the foreshore park, this access will simply be too dangerous. They will simply have their right to use the park in their suburb removed from them.
• Loss of a right hand turn from Johnston St in to The Crescent. There are no other options to access The Crescent from north Annandale and will force more traffic along Booth St in Annadale villiage. That area of Booth St is a 40kmh pedestrian precinct.

My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
• Remove the proposed overpass.
• Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park
• Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
• Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.

Yours Sincerely.

See the attachment.

Please see my comments on the attached form. I do not support the recent changes proposed to the Rozelle Bay Greenlink. I strongly support a reversion to the former plan and detailed consultation with local residents to find a solution that meets their needs.